Small Business, the U.S. Government, and the American Economy

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and the U.S. federal government should be doing everything that it possible can to assist small business owners at this time of grave economic crisis. Everything that it can.

By the same token, small business owners need to do all that they can to help themselves. In the final analysis, small business - and really all businesses - have only two options. The first option is to crawl into a hole and wait for better days to come all along hoping that you will be able to hold out that long. The second, and much better, option is to re-tool and innovate, and, thus, come out stronger, leaner, and more profitable than when this economic mess started.

One very good option for small businesses is federal government contracting. We all know it.

So, what is your company waiting for?

Successful Contracting Behaviors

1. Be proactive and aggressive rather than reactive and passive.

2. Network with federal buyers and agency contacts.

3. Utilize (properly) the vendor support services offered by the federal government such as OSDBUs.

4. Conduct thorough and ongoing research.

5. Ask questions.

6. Inquire about what business will be coming in the future.

7. Start selling to long before the solicitation is issued to the public.

8. If you are lost, get a guide.

Marketing to the Federal Government - There is No One Way or Is There?

There is no one way to market your company's products and services to the federal government for the simple reason that each and every department purchases what it needs in different ways.

Therefore, it is imperative that you as a federal contractor understand the various procurement methods used by the federal government and particularly those most often used by the departments with which you seek to do business. In addition, make yourself aware of and then able to use properly all of the support services offered to vendors by the government. But . . . remember the days of school and homework and the fact that the more prepared you arrived, you further you went, and, therefore, achieved.

With all of this said, there is one thing that you can do over and over again when marketing to the federal government that will never, never fail. Ever. Determine who it is that you need to get to know, how you are going to get to know them, and what you are doing to do to attract, and then keep their attention. Sound familiar? Well, it should.

Recovery.Org - State Recovery Sites

Forty-nine (49) of the fifty (50) states have now added to their web sites their own recovery web pages that help explain how they are spending funds allocated by the Recovery Act.

Here is the map:

http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/state-recovery-page

GSA E-Buy

E-Buy is a GSA web site where agency personnel post RFPs for GSA schedule orders. Companies need to register for E-Buy after they are awarded a GSA schedule contract. GSA schedule holders submit their bid offers/proposal to the government through the E-Buy web site.

https://www.ebuy.gsa.gov/advgsa/advantage/ebuy/start_page.do

SBA - Office of Advocacy: Regional Advocates

Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy - The Voice for Small Business in the Federal Government

Regional Advocates

The relationship between the nation's small businesses and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy is strengthened by regional advocates located in the SBA's 10 regions. They are the Chief Counsel's direct link to small business owners, state and local government bodies, and organizations that support the interests of small entities. The regional advocates help identify regulatory concerns of small business by monitoring the impact of federal and state policies at the grassroots level. Their work goes far to develop programs and policies that encourage fair regulatory treatment of small business and help ensure their future growth and prosperity.

http://www.sba.gov/advo/region.html

SBA Office of Advocacy - Mission Statement

Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy - The Voice for Small Business in the Federal Government

Mission Statement

America's small businesses -- some 25 million strong -- are the strength of our nation's economy. They account for 50 percent of the country's private non-farm gross national product, create between 60 and 80 percent of the net new jobs and are 13 to 14 times more innovative per employee as large firms are.

Despite their importance to the economy, small businesses are heavily burdened by the costs of government regulation and excessive paperwork. Advocacy research shows that firms with fewer than 20 employees annually spend 45 percent more per employee than larger firms do to comply with federal regulations.

In 1976, the U.S. Congress created the Office of Advocacy within the U.S Small Business Administration to protect, strengthen and effectively represent the nation's small businesses within the federal government's legislative and rule-making processes. The Office of Advocacy works to reduce the burdens that federal policies impose on small firms and maximize the benefits small businesses receive from the government. Advocacy's mission, simply stated, is to encourage policies that support the development and growth of American small business.

http://www.sba.gov/advo/mission.html

What is a Small Business?

The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy defines a small business for research purposes as an independent business having fewer than 500 employees. Firms wishing to be designated small businesses for government programs such as contracting must meet size standards specified by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Size Standards. These standards vary by industry.

See:

http://www.sba.gov/contractingopportunities/officials/size/index.html

NCMA Special Membership Promo: Become a Lifetime Member! - 04/01/2009

During the month of April, in recognition of NCMA's 50th anniversary celebration, NCMA is offering the deal of the half-century: 100 lifetime memberships for the low cost of $1,000 each.* The average NCMA member spends 15+ years in the contract management profession, making this limited-time offer a positive investment in your future. This promotion expires on April 30, 2009, and is limited to the first 100 applicants. Availability not guaranteed!

http://www.ncmahq.org/News/AnnoucementDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=4662